Don’t you just love the story of Molly the donkey visiting the Hawthorns Care Home in Wilmslow to cheer up residents?

"Animals and pets have a special ability to boost morale – they provide companionship and bring happiness and laughter," said the home’s manager Claire Bibby.

There’s a very good reason for that: animals live in the moment; they don’t worry about the future or dwell on the past. Pets are non judgmental and always pleased to see you whether you’re a billionaire or flat broke.

They don’t sulk or bear grudges and love to give and receive affection.

Name one person you know like that. We have so much to learn.

No wonder this little donkey brings such joy – look at her picture. How could you not smile?

In my grandparents’ time people were a lot closer to nature, now we have to make a conscious effort to get involved. Many people today rarely come into contact with animals (unless they’re on TV).

It’s a sad omission from our lives and a gaping hole in our education.

Whenever I hold a consultation with a dog owner the most accurate information I receive comes from the dog.

I can rely on the dog’s story while the owner’s can be, how shall I put it, fanciful. If you observe and listen animals have so much to teach us.

Manager Claire Bibby is a wise lady. She knows Molly’s sunny personality will lift the hearts of residents with no risk of letting them down.

Given the track record of us humans I think she made a good choice.

The views on this page are Vic Barlow's and not necessarily those of the Express